Storytelling Tool 1: Observation
- observe in a conscious way
- Attire
- Behaviour
- Characteristics
- Dialogue/Speech
- Expression
- Facial features/Physical looks
- Gestures/Posture/Stance/Gait
- train yourself to see and record: movements, physical characteristics, settings
- adopt a keen eye
- develop a natural sense of curiosity but not intrusive
- an observed event, when abject to simple questions, can set up a sequence of possibilities that will develop into a story worth telling
eg. when you observe a couple having a meal yet totally not talking…what questions come to mind?
Questions to ask yourself:
1. who am i writing about?
2. who is my character?
3. what is he/she/it like?
4. what does he/she/it do?
5. what happens to him/her/it in the story?
AWARENESS LEVEL
- people rarely observe familiar people or things closely
- most people pass through the day with 20-30% awareness
MINDLESS OBSERVATION vs TRUE OBSERVATION
- develop the ability to see and record people:
- their movements
- their physical characteristics
- the setting/places they’re in
